Thought it was You Shikamaru. (Shikaino Shikamaru x ino)

Chapter 36: Farewells and Dreams

The past few months had been a whirlwind of missions for Team 10, and with each passing day, they found themselves growing closer not only as a team but also with Naruto and Sakura. The missions, often filled with challenges and moments of laughter, had created a bond that felt unbreakable. As they worked together, fighting alongside each other, Ino realized how much she had come to rely on her friends.

However, amidst the camaraderie and the daily adventures, Ino found herself plagued by dreams-dreams that were vivid and unsettling. Each night, as she drifted off to sleep, her mind would conjure images of her and Shikamaru. In these dreams, they were close, their hands brushing against each other, laughter ringing in the air. But as she woke up in a cold sweat, the warmth of those moments faded, leaving her feeling as if something vital was missing.

Today felt different, though. There was a heaviness in the air as they gathered at the training grounds, a sense of foreboding hanging over them like storm clouds. Naruto was leaving with Jiraiya, and the weight of his departure was palpable. As Team 10 and their friends from Teams 8 and 9 came together for dinner, Ino couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety that crept into her chest. She could see the uncertainty mirrored in everyone's eyes.

As the sun began to set, casting an orange glow over Konoha, they all made their way to a nearby restaurant. The atmosphere was charged, filled with laughter and chatter, but underneath it all, a sense of sadness lingered.

"Can you believe Naruto is actually leaving?" Sakura said, her voice tinged with emotion as they settled around a large table. "I mean, he's been our teammate for so long. It feels weird to think about him being gone."

Ino nodded, her heart heavy. "Yeah, it's going to be different without him around. He's always so... energetic, you know?"

Shikamaru leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a contemplative expression. "I guess we'll just have to deal with it. It's not like we can just follow him everywhere."

Kiba chimed in, "I'm gonna miss that idiot! Who's going to take the brunt of my pranks now?" He laughed, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Hinata looked down, her fingers nervously fidgeting with her napkin. "I just wish he didn't have to go," she whispered. "He's like a part of our family now."

"Hey, at least we'll still have each other!" Tenten said brightly, trying to lift the mood. "We can train together and keep getting stronger!"

"Yeah!" Rock Lee added, his enthusiasm infectious. "We must train with even more determination in his absence!"

Choji, ever the optimist, smiled. "And when he comes back, we'll be even stronger! He'll be amazed!"

As they discussed their goodbyes, Ino found herself glancing at Shikamaru more often than usual. The way he seemed to reflect on everything, his furrowed brow and thoughtful demeanor, made her heart flutter. She wanted to reach out, to tell him how much he meant to her, but the words felt stuck in her throat. Instead, she focused on the conversation, trying to drown out her feelings with the camaraderie around her.

"Hey, what about when we teamed up against those rogue ninjas?" Shikamaru asked, a small smirk playing on his lips. "I remember how Ino was ready to throw a tantrum when Choji ate all the snacks."

Ino's cheeks flushed at the memory, but she couldn't help but laugh. "Well, I was hungry! And you could have shared!"

As the night wore on, the mood shifted slightly. Plates were emptied, and the laughter slowly faded into a more solemn atmosphere. They all knew that the moment of departure was drawing near, and the reality of their situation began to settle in.

"I'm really going to miss you guys," Naruto said, his voice sincere as he looked around the table. "You all mean a lot to me."

Ino felt a lump form in her throat as she watched her friend. "We'll miss you too, Naruto. Just promise you'll come back, okay?"

He nodded, determination in his eyes. "Of course! I'll train hard and come back stronger than ever!"

With that, the table fell silent for a moment, each person lost in their thoughts. Ino couldn't help but glance at Shikamaru again, her heart pounding. Suddenly, she turned to him. "Shikamaru," she began, her voice trembling slightly.

He turned to her, his expression curious. "What's up?"

"Do you mind walking me home?" Ino asked, her cheeks flushing slightly as she felt the weight of her request. The air between them felt charged, as if the world around them had faded, leaving only the two of them standing on the precipice of something unspoken. Shikamaru's eyes widened for a brief moment, but then he nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Sure, I'd like that," he replied, standing up and offering her his hand, a gesture that sent a flutter through her heart.

As they stepped outside, the warm night air enveloped them, contrasting the bittersweet emotions that lingered from the dinner. Ino and Shikamaru turned back to their friends, who were all gathered at the entrance, ready to say their goodbyes.

"Take care, Naruto," Ino said, wrapping her arms around him in a heartfelt hug. He squeezed her tightly, the weight of their friendship hanging heavily in the air.

"Thanks, Ino. I'll be back before you know it!" Naruto replied, his grin infectious. He stepped back, and Shikamaru stepped forward, sharing a more subdued but equally warm hug.

"Don't do anything reckless, you idiot," Shikamaru said, a slight smirk on his face.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Naruto replied, rolling his eyes playfully.

Once the goodbyes were said and done, they began to walk away. As they reached the sidewalk, Kiba turned to the group with a teasing grin. "So, since when did that happen?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at the lingering closeness between Ino and Shikamaru.

Choji and Sakura chimed in, "Don't even ask." Laughter erupted among the nine of them, the tension dissipating momentarily as they fell back into their comfortable banter.

Ino and Shikamaru walked toward her house, their shoulders brushing against each other in the quiet of the night. The silence was companionable, yet Ino felt the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.

When they reached her doorstep, Ino turned to him, a sudden urgency filling her voice. "Shikamaru, wait. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for how I've been acting the last few months."

"It's okay," he replied, his tone gentle and understanding.

Ino hesitated for a moment, then took a breath. "Well, do you want to come in?" she asked, her heart racing at the prospect.

Shikamaru considered her offer for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face. "Yeah." he said finally, stepping closer to her.